Eye mask

ABSTRACT

An eye mask has magnetic bodies and self-heating warm members, which are inserted in eye pads on a mask member to be placed over eyeball parts. If required, vibrators and illumination bodies may be additionally placed in the eye pads. Thus, fatigue on the eyes and surroundings thereof can be relieved by the magnetic actions of the magnetic bodies and the warming effects of the warming member, in addition to expected effects of restoring ocular functions, recovering from various ocular diseases, and so on. Furthermore, the surface of each of the eye pads is gradually curved like the inner surface of a sphere. When the eye pads are press-contact to the eyeball parts at predetermined pressures for a long time, the cornea can be warmed by the warming members so that the shape of the cornea can be changed along the shape of the eye pad, resulting in the effects of recovering from eye sight disorder such as pseudo-myopia, moderate farsightedness, or moderate astigmatism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an eye mask having the excellenteffects of recovering from eye fatigue and recovering ocular functionsand also having functions for recovering from eye sight disorder such aspseudo-myopia, moderate farsightedness or moderate astigmatism, as wellas hypnosis effect.

[0003] 2. Detailed Description of Prior Art

[0004] Various kinds of products for recovering from eye fatigue arecommercially available. For instance, a warming or cooling pad in theshape of an eye patch is known in the art. The effects of such productsare temporary and wear off in a short time. Furthermore, anyconventional systems for warming eyeball parts by electric or electronicwarming devices have some disadvantages. For instance, each of them hasan expensive complicated structure and is hard to handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an eye maskhaving excellent effects of: recovering from eye fatigue; restoringocular functions; providing hypnosis action; and so on, in addition tobeing useful to restore eyesight and various kinds of ocular diseases.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye maskcapable of substantially recovering or restoring from eye fatigue ordisordered ocular functions as a long-time treatment can be performedthrough sleeping hours.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide aneye mask with a simple structure, which can be mass-produced at low costand can be easy to use.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed in view of the aboveobjects. Accordingly, there is provided an eye mask comprising: a maskmember to be placed over eyeball parts; magnetic bodies provided onportions of the mask member, where the portions correspond to theeyeball parts, respectively; and warming members for warming the eyeballparts, which are provided on the mask member.

[0009] According to one of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, eye pads may be provided on the portions of the mask membercorresponding to the eyeball parts, where the magnetic bodies are placedin the eye pads, respectively. In addition, a warming-member housingportion may be provided on the mask member, where the warming member forwarming the eyeball parts is housed.

[0010] The term “mask member” refers to one prepared from any materialhaving any shape as far as it can be placed over the eyeball parts, suchas one in the shape of goggles, glasses, eye bandage, or ocular adhesivesheet. Also, the term “eyeball parts” refer eyes, eyeballs, and theirsurroundings in the human body. Also, but not particularly limited to,the magnetic body may be a ferrite permanent magnet, a rare-earthpermanent magnet, a diboronic magnesium permanent magnet of asuperconductive material, or the like, which may be shaped like a ball,bar, plate, ring, wire, particle, or the like to filled in the eye pador the like.

[0011] The magnetic force of the magnetic body may be appropriatelydefined for attaining the object, for example it may be in the range of1 mT to 180 mT.

[0012] By the way, apparatuses for magnetic therapy have been well knownin the art. Each of them utilizes magnetic actions of magnetic bodiesfor taking the stiffness out of each part of the human body, such asshoulder, scruff, back, hip, foot, or for relieving fatigue of muscle.On the other hand, the present inventors have found that magneticactions of magnetic bodies could be effective to restore eye fatigue,ocular functions, various kinds of ocular diseases, and so on. Inparticular, eye sight disorder such as pseudo-myopia, moderatefarsightedness, or moderate astigmatism can be naturally restored orimproved by applying a predetermined strength of magnetic force for along time. In addition, the present inventors have also found thatmagnetic actions of magnetic bodies could be effective to oculardiseases such as keratopathy, cataract, glaucoma, paralysis of ocularmuscles, and retinopathy.

[0013] It be presumed that each structural component of the eye part,such as crystalline lens, ciliary body (zonula cliaris) that regulatesswelling of the crystalline lens, or cornea, may be effected by magneticforce in a cellular level to restore intrinsic biological functions ofeach structural component. Simultaneously, there additional effects ofrestoring the functions of nerve fibers connecting to the ocular cells,causing increase in bloodstream by expansion of peripheral capillariesaround the eyeball part, relaxing muscles and nerve fivers and relievingtension on each of them, activating cells, and so on to recover eyeballparts from fatigue and to enhance ocular functions.

[0014] In the mask member, as described above, the warming member forwarming the eyeball parts and their surroundings are provided inaddition to the magnetic bodies.

[0015] The warming member may be, for example, a powder-type exothermicmaterial which can be self-heated at a temperature of about 38° C. to42° C., or may be a small-sized far-infrared ray heat-generating device,or may be of using functions of heating or cooling by means of apotential difference in module alloy. Warming the eyeball parts workssynergistically with the magnetic actions of the magnetic bodies toprovide more excellent advantages of the eye mask.

[0016] In other words, blocked meibomian glands in the lids of eyes,which are a main cause of dry eyes, can be restored by heating theeyeball parts, so that the stream of tears can be recovered to allownormal secretion of tears.

[0017] In addition, the stresses on somatic cells, muscles, nerves, bonemarrows, and so on can be relaxed and the circulation of the blood canbe improved.

[0018] Furthermore, there are synergistic effects of the warming and themagnetic force on cells and tissues in the body, so that fatiguematerials such as wastes, blood stasis, cholesterol, lactic acid, CO₂,and active oxygen, which are accumulated in the eyeball parts, will beremoved. Therefore, the stiffness or hyperemia of muscles, nerves, bonemarrows, and so on will be removed.

[0019] In addition, blood turns into alkalinity from the acidity, andthe body metabolism becomes active, so that natural healing power in thebody can be recovered and improved, resulting in normalized eyesight asa necessary consequence. Furthermore, stresses on cells and tissues ofthe cornea and the surroundings thereof can be relieved by warming thecornea with the warming member, resulting that these cells and tissuesbecome expanded and softened.

[0020] Under such conditions, the softened cornea can be deformed alongthe shape of the eye portion of the eye pad by pressing down the eyepads on the eyeball parts from above the eye lids or on the surroundingsof the eye lids at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined timeperiod. As a result, especially, eye sight disorder such aspseudo-myopia, moderate farsightedness, or moderate astigmatism, or thelike can be corrected so that eyesight can be recovered.

[0021] The eye pad is constructed of an elastic body such as a sponge ora soft plastic material in consideration of coming in contact with theeyeball part for a long time. According to the present invention,however, it is not limited to such materials. The eye pad may beconstructed of another material such as a semi-hard plastic material, acork, or a magnetic metal.

[0022] In addition, the eye portion of the eye pad is formed in aconcave shape. According to the present invention, however, it is notlimited to such a shape. Various kinds of eye portions may be preparedin advance. For example, each of the eye portion may have a differentamount of curvature of the concave, or a convex or flat shape, dependingon the purpose of correction. If the purpose is not for correctivetreatment on eyesight, there is no need to forcefully press the eye padagainst the eyeball part. It may touch on the eye lid lightly by loosingthe constriction band of the eye mask or the like.

[0023] The mask member may be equipped with means for generatingmicro-vibrations, such as a vibrator. The micro-vibration meansproviding the eyeball parts with micro-vibrations to stimulate cells,tissues, nerves, blood flows, and so on in the eye parts and thesurroundings thereof. Therefore, the effects of magnetic force andwarming can be further increased, and also the cornea correction can befurther effective.

[0024] In the mask member, if required, means for blinking luminousbodies may be provided. The luminous body may be a miniature bulb, alight emitting diode, or the like. The luminous body can be turned onand off at predetermined time intervals by adjusting the light level,flashing speed, or the like of the luminous body, so that hypnotic andataractic effects can be induced.

[0025] Furthermore, the ocular functions or the like can be improved bystimulating the eyeballs, retina nervous systems, and so on byirradiating moderate light on the eyeball parts and the surroundingsthereof.

[0026] The luminous bodies may be colored with four primary colors (red,blue, yellow, and green) or filtered with colored filters, respectively.Therefore, the luminous bodies can be independently rendered indifferent color schemes so as to be appropriately adjusted to the goalof treatment or the like. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve orenhance the recognition ability of the eye and to treat or improvepartial or total color-blindness.

[0027] Furthermore, if required, coolants may be housed in thewarming-member housing portions of the mask member for cooling theeyeball parts at predetermined temperatures, respectively. Therefore, itbecomes possible to ease the tensions of muscles of the eye parts andthe surroundings thereof. In addition, it also becomes possible torestore hyperemia, to prevent a rush of blood to the head, and to bringdown the blood pressure.

[0028] The coolant may be a disposable cold sheet or pad, which iscommercially available, or an improved product thereof for the presentinvention.

[0029] For recovering from a disorder such as insomnia or mental stress,an aromatic material having a hypnotic or ataractic effect may beprovided in the mask member. Furthermore, earplugs for sound isolation,a portable music playback device, a radio, or the like may be optionallyprovided in the mask member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the eye mask inaccordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 2 is a front view of the eye mask shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the eye mask along the linea-a in FIG. 2 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the eye mask along the lineb-b in FIG. 2 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0034]FIG. 5 is a front view of the warming member to be attached on theeye mask of the present invention;

[0035]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the warming member along theline a-a in FIG. 5;

[0036]FIG. 7 is a front view of the eye mask in accordance with thesecond preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the eye mask along the linea-a in FIG. 7 in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0038]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the eye mask along the lineb-b in FIG. 7 in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0039]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the eye mask along the linec-c in FIG. 7 in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described belowin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an eye mask as a first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an eye mask 10 comprises amask member 11 and a constriction band 12. In this embodiment, a frontpanel 14 of the mask member 11 is provided as a shade plate.

[0042] An edge frame 16 is attached on the peripheral end of the frontplate 14. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a cushion 15 is mountedon the backside edge of the front plate 14. In this embodiment, thecushion 15 is constructed of a cloth bag filled with cotton, sponge, orthe like.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a back plate 18 is fixedon the backside of the front plate 14 with a predetermined space betweenthese plates 14, 18 to form a housing portion 19 for housing a warmingmember 21 described below. Furthermore, stopper members 17, 17 a areprovided on the middle portions of the back plate 18 and the front plate14, respectively. One of the stopper members 17, 17 a has a protrusionwhile the other thereof has an opening, so that that the stopper members17 can be fixed together by fitting the protrusion into the opening.Thus, the warming member 21 can be secured in the space between thefront and back plates 14, 18 such that the warming member 21 can beprevented from coming out of the space.

[0044] Furthermore, there are right and left eye pads 20, 20 on the backplace 18. Each of the eye pads 20 is constructed of a cloth bag filledwith an elastic body such as a sponge material with a predeterminedthickness. A plurality of magnetic bodies 13 is imbedded in a partcorresponding to each of the eyeball and its surrounding areas of theinside of the eye pad 20. The eye pads 20 may be fixed on the back plate18 by means of adhesive or the like. Alternatively, the eye pads 20 maybe fixed on the back plate 18 using adjustable double-faced tape orhook-and-loop fasteners so that they can be fixed at appropriatepositions for the treatment or correction to be performed on user'seyeball parts and the surroundings thereof.

[0045] An eye portion 20 a of each of the eye pads 20 has a concaveshape. In other words, it is gradually curved like the inner surface ofa sphere. The curvature and shape of the eye portion 20 a can be changeddepending on the purpose of corrective treatment of poor eyesight.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the warming member 21 is shaped like apair of eyeglasses and is constructed of exothermic bodies 23 enclosedin the right and left side of a heat-stable package film 22 placed inthe space between the front plate 14 and the back plate 18. The packagefilm 22 is sealed and the inner opposite faces are kept in absolutecontact with one another except the portions where the exothermic bodies23 are enclosed.

[0047] Each of the exothermic body 23 comprises iron power, activatedcarbon, wood flour, salt, water, baculite, and so on. The exothermicbody 23 can be self-heated at a predetermined temperature as a result ofoxidation when these components are mixed by kneading with hands throughthe package film 22.

[0048] The warming member 21 generates heat at a temperature of about40° C. to 70° C. and is able to warm eyeball parts and surroundingsthereof through eye pads 20. If the treatment requires only magneticbodies 13 (i.e., there is no need to warm the eyeball parts), thewarming member 21 may be removed from the housing portion 19.

[0049] When the above eye mask 10 is used, the warming member 21 ishoused in the housing portion 19 and the stopper members 17, 17 a arethen mated together, followed by placing the mask member 11 over eyeballparts of the individual so as to place both eye pads 20 on the eyeballparts while holding the mask member 11 on the head by an appropriatepressure from the constriction band 12.

[0050] Therefore, the eye portions 20 a of the respective eye pads 20appropriately apply pressures on the eyeball parts, especially oncorneas, respectively. In addition, the eyeball parts and surroundingsthereof can be magnetically effected by the magnetic bodies 13 in theeye portions 20 a, respectively. Simultaneously, the eyeball parts andsurroundings thereof can be warmed with the warming member 21.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10, there is shown another eye maskas a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The eye maskof the present embodiment is constructed just as in the case with thefirst preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 except of amicro-vibrating device and a light-blinking device.

[0052] In this embodiment, a vibrator (i.e., a micro-vibrating device)30 is additionally provided in the middle of each eye pad 20 as and aplurality of illumination bodies 31 is provided as a light-blinkingdevice around the vibrator 30. In this embodiment, furthermore, eachillumination body 31 is a miniature bulb.

[0053] Moreover, a controller box 32 is arranged on the middle of thefront plate 14. The controller box 32 has an upper end portion on whichan electric switch 34 is provided and a front portion on which anillumination-control dial 35 for increasing or decreasing the lightlevels of illumination bodies 31, a flash-control dial 35 a forcontrolling a blinking speed of the illumination, a vibrator-controldial 36 for controlling the intensity of vibration, an illumination bodytimer 37, and a vibrator timer 38 are provided. In addition, as shown inFIG. 10, a battery 33 is embedded in the controller box 32.

[0054] The eye mask 10 of the present embodiment as described above iscapable of providing micro-vibrations on the eyes from the vibrators 30.In this case, an appropriate strong and an appropriate time period ofslight vibration can be controlled by the vibrator-control dial 36 andthe vibrator timer 38.

[0055] Simultaneously with or independently of vibrations created by thevibrators 30, the illumination bodies 31 can illuminate the eyeballparts as a result of selecting predetermined light levels,blinking-speeds, and time periods. These parameters can be appropriatelyadjusted by the illumination-control dial 35, the flash-speed controldial 35 a, and the illumination body timer 37, respectively.

[0056] Furthermore, if required, an aroma-emitting member (not shown)having hypnosis and ataractic effects may be arranged on a nose portionof the mask member 11, which can be placed near the nostrils. Thearoma-emitting member may be a designated container (e.g., a smallportable body warmer) that contains a aroma material that emits pleasantcharacteristic odor, as of a plant such as moxa to be used for theso-called moxa treatment. In this case, moxa may be burned in thecontainer to produce smoke to be inhaled. Alternatively, there isanother method for generating an aroma of moxa. That is, the aroma ofmoxa may be provided as a volatile liquid (aroma liquid) previouslyfilled in another container, followed by pouring an appropriate amountof the aroma liquid into the aroma-emitting container being placed nearthe nozzle portion of the mask member 11. Therefore, an aroma of themoxa can be inhaled into the nostrils as the aroma liquid in thecontainer can be volatized.

[0057] In the above housing portion 19, a portable coolant such as acooling pad known in the art may be housed instead of the warming member21 if required to cool the eyes or their surroundings. Furthermore, asmall speaker or an ear phone may be provided near each of the earportions of the mask member 11. The small speaker or the like mayconnected to a portable music playback system, a portable radio, or thelike to provide various kinds of the so-called healing music or the likefor the purpose of hypnosis or of healing sleeplessness.

[0058] For enhancing the hypnosis effect, cooling the head is effective.Thus, a coolant may be attached on a hair band or a cap to keep the headcool in combination with use of the mask member 11. The coolant to beused in the present embodiment may be any of coolants well-known in theart. Preferably, the coolant may be one which can becommercially-available and made of a specific high-polymer crystallinematerial that exert an excellent cooling effect when the coolant absorbswater. In this case, such a cooling effect can be kept for an extendedtime (e.g., over 30 hours). In other words, such a coolant has a coolingaction using the application of heat of evaporation, so that a naturalcooling effect can be obtained. Thus, there is no possibility of coolingthe eyes too much.

[0059] The embodiment described above has been provided as one ofrepresentative examples of the present invention. Therefore, the presentinvention is not limited to the eye mask of the above embodiment. Forinstance, the mask member 11 may be constructed as a bag sheet in whichan exothermic body is tightly enclosed in addition to embed magneticbodies in the eye portions of the mask member 11. Furthermore, thevibrator 30, the illumination body bulbs 31, the warm member 21, and soon shown in the figures are provided for conveniently describing thepresent invention. Therefore, such a configuration of the eye mask canbe changed within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eye mask, comprising: a mask member to beplaced over eyeball parts; magnetic bodies provided on portions of themask member, where the portions correspond to the eyeball parts; and awarming member for warming the eyeball parts, which is provided on themask member.
 2. An eye mask as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:eye pads provided on the portions of the mask member corresponding tothe eyeball parts, where the magnetic bodies are placed in the eye pads;and a warming-member housing portion provided on the mask member, wherethe warming member for warming the eyeball parts is housed.
 3. An eyemask as claimed in claim 2, wherein the eye pads are provided forcorrecting eyesight by pushing the eyeball parts to correct the corneas.4. An eye mask as claimed in claim 2, wherein slight-vibrationgenerators which give slight vibrations to the eyeball parts areprovided on the eye pads.
 5. An eye mask, as claimed in claim 2, whereinmeans for blinking illumination bodies is provided in each of the eyespads.